Hey Lawdy Mama
Steppenwolf Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You'd like to show me all around
Thank you girl but I know this town
It's all right hey lawdy mama, it's all right
Don't you know they're all the same,
Only difference is the name
It's all right hey lawdy mama, it's all right
Three motels, dusty cars,
Movie shows and a dozen bars
It's all right hey lawdy mama, it's all right
Only thing that I can say
We'll be here for just one day

CHORUS:

Baby, don't you know
We're leaving early in the mornin'
So long I don't know
We might be back next year
Maybe it just might be never
Don't you worry 'bout it
So long, good to know
Your smilin' face was here

This town is boring you to tears
Nothing in the world ever happens here
It's all right hey lawdy mama, it's all right
Don't you know you gotta help
Nothing ever happens by itself
It's all right hey lawdy mama, it's all right
If no one will share the load
Go pack your bag for the open road
It's all right hey lawdy mama, it's all right
Try to find someone like you
Hope he'll tell you what to do





REPEAT CHORUS

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Steppenwolf's song "Hey Lawdy Mama" tell the story of a man who is bored with his hometown and is visited by a woman who wants to show him around. He politely declines, saying that he knows the town already and wants to leave. He describes the town as having three motels, dusty cars, movie shows, and a dozen bars - nothing interesting happening there at all. However, he encourages the woman to help make something happen, saying that "nothing ever happens by itself". He advises her to find someone like him who will tell her what to do.


The song's lyrics express a sense of restlessness and dissatisfaction with the monotony of small-town life. The singer clearly feels that he is capable of more than what his hometown has to offer, and encourages others to pursue their dreams and seek out new experiences. The chorus reinforces this idea, with its repeated refrain of "we're leaving early in the morning" - a clear indication that the man is looking for something more than what his hometown can provide.


Overall, "Hey Lawdy Mama" is a powerful example of rock music's ability to explore themes of rebellion, restlessness, and the desire for something more. The song's driving beat and catchy guitar riff make it an enduring classic of the genre, and it remains a favorite of rock fans everywhere.


Line by Line Meaning

You'd like to show me all around
You want to take me on a tour of this town


Thank you girl but I know this town
I appreciate your offer, but I am already familiar with this town


It's all right hey lawdy mama, it's all right
There's nothing to worry about, everything is fine


Don't you know they're all the same,
All the places in this town are similar


Only difference is the name
The only thing that sets them apart is their names


Three motels, dusty cars,
This town has three motels and old, dirty cars


Movie shows and a dozen bars
There are movie theaters and plenty of bars around


Only thing that I can say
The only thing I must admit is


We'll be here for just one day
We're only staying in this town for a day


Baby, don't you know
My dear, don't you realize


We're leaving early in the mornin'
We're departing early in the morning


So long I don't know
I'm not sure how long it will take for us to return


We might be back next year
There's a possibility that we'll come back the following year


Maybe it just might be never
It's possible that we'll never return


Don't you worry 'bout it
You don't need to worry about it


So long, good to know
Goodbye, it was nice to meet you


Your smilin' face was here
I appreciate your warm presence


This town is boring you to tears
This town is extremely dull


Nothing in the world ever happens here
Absolutely nothing ever takes place in this town


Don't you know you gotta help
You must understand that you need to contribute to make things happen in this town


Nothing ever happens by itself
Events never come together by chance


If no one will share the load
If no one lends a helping hand


Go pack your bag for the open road
You should get ready to leave this town for adventure elsewhere


Try to find someone like you
Search for a similar minded person


Hope he'll tell you what to do
Perhaps they will guide you and provide direction


REPEAT CHORUS
The chorus repeats




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JERRY EDMONTON, JOHN KAY, LARRY CLIFTON BYROM

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

TOWER TOP

You'd like to show me all around
Thank you girl but I know this town
It's alright, hey lawdy mama, it's alright
Don't you know they're all the same
Only difference is the name
It's alright, hey lawdy mama, it's alright
Three motels, dusty cars
A movie show and a dozen bars
It's alright, hey lawdy mama, it's alright
Only thing that I can say
Is we'll be here for just one day

Baby don't you know we're
Leavin' early in the mornin'
So long, I don't know we might be back next year
Baby it just might be never
Don't cha worry 'bout it
So long, good to know your smilin' face was here

This town is boring you to tears
Nothing in the world ever happens here
It's alright, hey lawdy mama, it's alright
Don't you know you've got to help
Nothing ever happens by itself
It's alright, hey lawdy mama, it's alright
If no one will share the load
Go pack your bags, hit the open road
It's alright, hey lawdy mama, it's alright
Try to find someone like you
Hope will tell you what to do

Baby don't you know we're
Leavin' early in the mornin'
So long, I don't know we might be back next year
Baby it just might be never
Don't cha worry 'bout it
So long good to know your smilin' face was here



All comments from YouTube:

LordGrokken

The only reason this band is not in the Hall of Fame is that, it can't contain the awesome.

Ognir Rrats

I don't care about the R&R HOF.

steelermule

Dont fear, ABBA is in there Bahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Arden Carpenter

Totally agree friend

Dan Owczarzak

Exactly !!!

birage

It is amazing when I think about all the cool songs this band did, yet it seems like all you ever hear is Born to be wild and Magic carpet ride on the radio. Steppenwolf Seven, classic!

Aschule

Foggy Mental Breakdown

Michael D. Bauer

@Frank Davis Sounds fantastic.

Frank Davis

We got a new radio station 96.5 the crab in mobile,Al. Well I have heard music that I've never listened to on radio. Monster, jaded strumpet, rock me baby. You like Robin Trower, bridge of sighs, what about Alvin Lee I'd love to change the world! Grand funk time machine. Man this is best station I've ever heard!

Michael D. Bauer

You are correct. Those are 2 over played songs when their catalog was huge.

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